MANILA – The Department of Agriculture (DA) assured the public on Tuesday that the bird flu outbreak in several duck and quail farms in Luzon is still under control as stricter containment measures have been imposed.
During the DA’s virtual press briefing, Secretary William Dar stated that biosafety protocols must be intensified to maintain effective containment of the virus.
“Nandito na sa atin, pero maganda po ang ugnayan ng (It’s here, but there’s good coordination among the) Bureau of Animal Industry, regional field offices, and the Department of Health, so under control po ito (it’s under control),” he said.
Dar earlier said that immediate action is necessary to prevent the disease from spreading to other areas.
“The avian influenza virus detected is of subtype H5N1, which is also a threat to human health. This is the very reason we have to double our efforts in controlling and containing bird flu, and we can accomplish this through cooperation,” he said.
Thus far, an Avian Influenza (AI) H5N1 outbreak is recorded in duck and quail farms in Bulacan, Pampanga, Laguna, and Camarines Sur.
According to the agency, cases were also recorded in Nueva Ecija, Bataan, Tarlac, Sultan Kudarat, and Benguet, “probably” due to the presence of migratory birds.
Amid the avian influenza outbreak, the DA has already released Memorandum Circulars 5 and 6, which outline the guidelines on the movement and surveillance of birds and poultry products.
Movement of all species of live birds, pigeons, game fowls, and ducks from Luzon to Region 4B, Visayas, and Mindanao is temporarily suspended for a month.
Likewise, inter-regional movement of live ducks and quail within mainland Luzon is also suspended for 30 days.
Other regulations for poultry commodities are also included, particularly from those coming from the 1-kilometer quarantine zone.
Wow! This blog looks just like my old one! It’s on a completely different
topic but it has pretty much the same layout and design. Outstanding choice of colors!